Casa di Diomede 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Giorgio Sommer’s “Casa di Diomede,” an albumen print from the 19th or 20th century, depicting the ruins in Pompeii. The monochromatic tones create such a strong feeling of solemnity and the textured walls really make me think about time. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What strikes me is how Sommer, working in the late 19th century, chose this particular subject and material. Albumen printing was incredibly labor-intensive, requiring meticulous preparation of the photographic paper. He's documenting ruins of a leisure estate and is elevating this location through skilled manual labour. Don't you think this choice of printing process suggests that ruins could be thought of as luxury items? Editor: That's interesting... I hadn't considered the albumen printing process in relation to wealth. Do you think the choice of subject - Roman ruins - contributes to the conversation of luxury items too? Curator: Absolutely! The Casa di Diomede represents not just leisure but a very specific, idealized version of classical life that had become extremely popular in elite circles across Europe during this time. This image becomes part of a larger narrative about historical longing that wealthy people would enjoy in a period of their expansionism. Can you imagine a similar photograph commissioned in the same medium now? Editor: That's a great question. Probably not. Today, the materiality is secondary to capturing the most detail. If it were commissioned, the statement would change. Curator: Precisely! This image, beautiful as it is, acts as a reminder of how materials and processes are always entwined with social and economic conditions. It definitely influences how we perceive a work of art. Editor: I see your point! Now I’m thinking more deeply about the intent behind this specific medium and this classical subject. Thank you!